Rock 'n' roll for the younger generation

Sunday

Mar 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Steve Huffman / Times-News

Lucius Wilson said he sometimes feels a little envious of the students he teaches at The Elon School, wishing classes like those he’s leading had been available when he was coming along. “When I was in high school, I had to go play in bars to do stuff like this,” he said. That said, Wilson smiles and laughs, something he does often and with little prompting. Wilson is head of music at The Elon School. His are classes held in the sanctuary of the former Blessed Sacrament Church on West Davis Street. The Elon School is a private, independent high school. About 80 students are enrolled. As part of his duties, Wilson teaches classes on subjects like Religion in the Western World and Evolution of Music. He’s also a counselor to a handful of students. But the gist of what he does is lead three rock ensemble classes and in the process, encourage students to get their inner groove on while performing classic rock ballads made famous by Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Heart and more. Jazz band and orchestra were never this cool. “This is a new adventure,” Wilson admitted. “I feel like I’m passing the torch on to the next generation.” Wilson, 63, grew up on Burlington’s east side, back when beach music was coming into its own and rock was still learning to roll. He’s been playing guitar about as long as he’s been walking. Remember Willie T and the Magnificents? Wilson was a Magnificent. Wilson spent much of his younger years traveling back and forth to Myrtle Beach where he played at a variety of clubs and bars. He’s performed up and down the East Coast, along the way taking the stage with such rock legends as The Allman Brothers Band and Ike and Tina Turner. He was also involved with music at Bread Loaf Bible College, a Burlington institution that existed in the ’70s and ’80s, and Damascus Road, a locally based contemporary Christian music group of the ’70s. His most recent undertaking is Lucius Wilson & Friends, a group whose members perform several times a year at any number of happenings. “He’s the local best,” said John Frazier, who has played in assorted bands with Wilson since the mid-’70s. “One of Lucius’ strengths is that he’s excellent at so many different genres. Folk, rock, country, gospel — you name it, Lucius can play it.” Frazier said another of Wilson’s strong suits is that he’s savvy enough about the stage to know when to let others lead or take charge when the situation demands. “Lucius doesn’t get in anybody’s way,” Frazier said. “But he knows when to jump in and let it scream when need be.”

Wilson has been teaching private guitar lessons for about 30 years. It’s a job he continues after his day stint at The Elon School is finished. His studio is on South Church Street across from Williams High School. Wilson sort of fell into his job at The Elon School. He was teaching a number of the school’s students in private guitar lessons and mentioned to administrators at The Elon School the possibility of his working there part time. Instead, it turned into a full-time gig. Wilson’s job at The Elon School is not to teach his students how to play their instruments. Students must have a basic knowledge — “basic” is at times the key word here — of how to play an instrument. Those enrolled in Wilson’s rock ensemble classes play anything from keyboards to bass and saxophones to trumpets. There are plenty of vocalists among the 20 or so students Wilson instructs on a daily basis. Alyssa Padmos, a senior at The Elon School, plays the piano and also sings. When students enrolled in rock ensemble held a concert for their parents and friends the other week, Padmos sang a snazzy rendition of Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.” She also played along with three of her male classmates as they performed a number of other songs: “Layla” by Eric Clapton, among them. Of Wilson and his rock ensemble class, Padmos couldn’t be more enthusiastic. “It’s my absolute favorite class,” she said. “I brag about it all the time. My friends are so jealous. You’re never going to find this anywhere else.” Lest those outside The Elon School worry Padmos is one of those starry-eyed teens about to immerse herself in a life of heartbreak while pursuing a career as a rock ’n’ roller, fear not … that’s not the case. She’s planning a career as a veterinarian and has already been accepted by a number of colleges eager to help her get her dreams rolling. But Padmos plans to minor in either music or theater — her decision, she said, in large part influenced by Wilson and his rock ensemble classes. “I fell in love with the class,” Padmos said. “Actually, that made it really difficult for me to choose a (college) major.” Wilson said he’s heard similar accolades from other students and said he’s happy to have played a role in making their high school careers more enjoyable. “Kids seem to love it,” he said of the rock ensemble offerings. “Having a class in high school where you can go play rock ’n’ roll is not too shabby.”